Occupational Asthma Reference

Walters GI, Mokhlis JM, Moore VC, Robertson AS, Burge GA, Bhomra PS, Burge PS, Characteristics of hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed by interstitial and occupational lung disease multi-disciplinary team consensus, Respir Med, 2019;155:19-25,DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2019.06.026

Keywords: UK, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, EAA, mertalworking fluid, birds, BHAL, case series, MDT,

Known Authors

Sherwood Burge, Oasys Sherwood Burge

Vicky Moore, Oasys Vicky Moore

Alastair Robertson, Selly Oak Hospital Alastair Robertson

Gareth Walters, Heartlands Gareth Walters

Geraldine Burge, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital Geraldine Burge

If you would like to become a known author and have your picture displayed along with your papers then please get in touch from the contact page. Known authors can choose to receive emails when their papers receive comments.

Abstract

Introduction
The causes of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) in the UK are changing as working practices evolve, and metalworking fluid (MWF) is now a frequently reported causative exposure. We aimed to review and describe all cases of HP from our UK regional service, with respect to the causative exposure and diagnostic characteristics.

Methods
In a retrospective, cross-sectional study, we collected patient data for all 206 cases of HP diagnosed within our UK-based regional NHS interstitial and occupational lung disease service, 2002–17. This included demographics, environmental and occupational exposures, clinical features, and diagnostic tests (CT imaging, bronchiolo-alveolar cell count, lung function, histology). We grouped the data by cause (occupational, non-occupational and unknown) and by presence or absence of fibrosis on CT, in order to undertake hypothesis testing.

Results
Cases were occupational (n?=?50), non-occupational (n?=?56) or cryptogenic (n?=?100) in aetiology. The commonest causes were birds?=?37 (18%) and MWF?=?36 (17%). Other occupational causes included humidifiers and household or commercial waste, but only one case of farmers’ lung. Cryptogenic cases were associated with significantly older age, female gender, lower lung function parameters, fewer alveolar lymphocyte counts >20%, and fibrosis on CT; exposure information was missing in 22–33% of cryptogenic cases.

Conclusion
MWF is the commonest occupational cause of HP, where workers usually present with more acute/subacute features and less fibrosis on CT; refuse work is an emerging cause. Cryptogenic HP has a fibrotic phenotype, and a full occupational history should be taken, as historical workplace exposures may be relevant.

Full Text

Full text of this reference not available

Please Log In or Register to add the full text to this reference

Comments

Please sign in or register to add your thoughts.


Oasys and occupational asthma smoke logo